Wow, Thanksgiving is less than a week away and I am now just beginning to think about my menu. In many ways, cooking a meal for friends and family is a snap compared to preparing for 8 video shoots or catering a party for 125 people. In fact, I think it might be down right relaxing - how about that!!

WHEN: Holiday Farmers’ Markets will take place at the Williams College Field House on Latham Street in Williamstown (10 am – 2 pm) and the Searles School Gymnasium on Bridge Street in Great Barrington (9 am – 1pm.) PLEASE NOTE THE NEW LOCATION FOR THE GREAT BARRINGTON MARKET.

Sometimes the pull of the kitchen, the love and memories of one’s childhood, and a desire to do what you love is so strong that it lures you away from a successful career, complete with graduate degrees and status. I write these words, not about me BUT of Julia Usher, baker and author of Cookie Swap.

Spend an hour hearing Julia share her story....how the influences of her Mom, grandmother and great grandmother, and of her Dad’s work ethic, all combine to provide Julia with a varied and interesting life full of family, cooking, education, engineering, consulting, wedding cake making and now inspiring others to bake and share through her gorgeous book, Cookie Swap.
You can buy the book on Julia’s website www.juliausher.com. I can’t wait to have a cookie swap party!! Thank you Julia and I look forward to your cake and cookie decorating book.

Kitchen transformed into a set to shoot 8 videos for Liberty Mutual - making heirloom recipes diabetic friendly. We are rolling. Four videos on Monday, four on Tuesday. And, guess what? The recipes are delicious and healthy!! What a concept.

Sometimes the news with animals isn't always good. This week we witnessed cruelty in the chicken coop. What I've observed with chickens is as the ladies age, the roosters are very mean to them. So much for respecting your elders. One of the older girls was molting and growing back her winter feathers and the other chickens picked on her. She was outcast and scared. She is now in chicken heaven, in peace - at least that's how I see it.

Gearing up for the 2-day shoot on Monday and Tuesday. About to head out to buy ingredients and will spend weekend prepping and making each of the following dishes in 3 stages of completeness:1st: Completely cooked and plated for beauty shots2nd: Partially done3rd: All individual ingredients measured out and in ramekins or mixing bowls

Pumpkin Cupcakes

2 cups whole wheat pastry flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ginger

1 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp allspice

4 eggs

4 Tbsp canola oil

2/3 cups applesauce

1 cup lowfat buttermilk

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 3/4 cups pumpkin

Makes 18 cupcakes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a medium bowl whisk together the first 8 ingredients (all the dry ingredients).

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, canola, applesauce, buttermilk, brown sugar and pumpkin. Once that is well blended, add the flour mixture in 3 batches to make sure it is well incorporated.

Fill cupcake tins about 3/4 full. I recommend using a non-stick cupcake tin. Place in middle of the oven and bake for 20-30 minutes until your tester comes out clean and the cupcake springs back when you touch it. Remove from oven and let cool before icing.

Icing

1 8 oz packages of low-fat cream cheese

2 Tbsp skim milk

1 tsp vanilla

3 packets stevia

zest of one lemon

Blend until smooth with an electric mixer. Ice the cooled cupcakes and enjoy.

Apple Cheesecake Torte

Crust

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

3 Tbsp melted butter (or margarine)

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

Cream Cheese Filling

2 - 8 oz. packages of low fat cream cheese at room temperature

1/2 cup sugar ( or sugar substitute)

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs at room temperature

Apples

2 large tart apples such as Granny Smith - peeled, cored and sliced

1/4 cup sugar (or sugar substitute)

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/3 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine all crust ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Press into bottom and up about 1” of the sides of a 10 inch springform pan. Bake for 5 minutes, cool to room temperature.

Increase oven temperature to 450 degrees.

Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Spoon mixture into crust.

Mix apples sugar, cinnamon and vanilla. Spoon over cream cheese mixture and then sprinkle with walnuts.

Bake for 15 minutes and then reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake another 45 minutes until your tester comes out clean. Cool on a rack and then carefully remove sides of springform pan. When completely cool, turn upside-down, remove bottom of pan, place plate on top and flip over. And ENJOY!!!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip cookies (gluten free as well!!)

1 cup chunky peanut butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 large egg

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat Oven to 350

Mix all ingredients together.

Spoon onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes in middle of oven until golden.

Chicken Breast Cacciatore

1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)

4 garlic cloves, pressed

1 Tbsp paprika

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

1 28 oz can diced tomatoes

1/2 cup minced parsley

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 450.

Mix the EVOO, garlic, paprika and 1/4 cup parsley in a small bowl. Place chicken breasts in a baking dish and spread 2 Tbsp of the olive oil mixture on top of the breasts. Add the remaining olive oil mixture to the diced tomatoes and then pour over top. Place in middle of the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Top with remaining parsley and serve over brown rice with a side salad.

Roasted Pork Tenderloin and root vegetables

2 small pork tenderloins

1/4 cup EVOO

1/4 cup dijon mustard

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tbsp rosemary, minced

1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

salt and pepper to taste

4 sweet potatoes, sliced

3 onions, sliced

2 cloves of garlic, minced

2 apples, peeled and sliced

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400.

Mix the EVOO, mustard, vinegar, garlic, rosemary, s and p together. Rub over pork. Place pork in rack in middle of roasting pan. Toss the potatoes, onions, garlic and EVOO together and spread in bottom of roasting pan. Bake for 40 minutes. Remove pork, tent with tin foil and let sit; meanwhile put veggies back in oven for the 5-10 minutes that the pork is resting. Slice pork to desired thickness, place on platter with vegetables.

Leftover Brown Rice Stir-Fry

Leftover rice - 2-4 cups

3 Tbsp EVOO

Any and/or all the following veggies:

1-2 onions, chopped

2-3 cloves of garlic, minced

3-4 carrots, peeled and sliced

1 green or red pap per, chopped

broccoli

mushrooms

1/4 cup low-sodium, gluten-free soy sauce

1 egg (optional)

In a large frying pan or wok, heat 2 Tbsp olive oil. If using all, start with onion, then add mushrooms and pepper, then carrots, garlic and broccoli. Saute until browned and desired doneness. Toss the brown rice with 1 Tbsp of EVOO and add to veggies. Turn the heat up so the rice browns for about 5 minutes. Add the soy sauce which nicely deglazes the pan and then add an egg if desired.

Turkey Meatballs

1 lb ground turkey (can also use grass fed beef)

1 garlic clove, minced

1 slice whole grain bread soaked in 1/4- 1/2 cup skim milk

2 Tbsp minced parsley

1 egg

1/4 cup pecorino romano OR parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375

Mix all ingredients together until well-blended. Roll into balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake 20-30 minutes until nicely browned, checking and turning as you go.

Use your own sauce or a jar but make sure no sugar added!! Add turkey balls to sauce and heat. Serve over whole wheat spaghetti.

Jen’s Simple Pizza

1 whole wheat lavash wrap

For red sauce:

1 small can tomato sauce

1 clove garlic, sliced

1 Tbsp EVOO

pinch red pepper flakes (optional)

dried oregano, basil or italian seasonings

salt and pepper to taste

low fat shredded mozzarella

Preheat oven to 400

Heat the EVOO in small saucepan. Add garlic, pepper flakes, and seasoning and heat for about a minute being careful not to burn the garlic. Add the tomato sauce and cook over low-medium heat. Spray the baking sheet with pam. Place the lavash on baking sheet and add sauce and a handful of shredded cheese. Bake for 10 minutes or so until cheese is melted and bubbling.

For the white topping:

2 onions, sliced

2 Tbsp EVOO

Crumbled goat cheese or feta

Sliced olives

Arugula and balsamic vinegar (optional but delicious!)

Saute onions until golden. Spread on lavash, add cheese and olives and bake as above. Throw a handful of arugula on top of oven-hot pizza with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar for a special treat!